Who focused on studying objective social facts and the social ties that lead to social solidarity?

• A. Emile Durkheim
• B. Harriet Martineau
• C. Karl Marx
• D. Norbert Elias

Answer: (A)

Objective social facts and the social ties that produce solidarity are central to Durkheim’s approach. He argued that social facts—laws, norms, institutions—exist outside individuals and exert coercive influence, shaping how people behave. Durkheim’s interest was in how societies stay together, explaining solidarity through two forms: mechanical solidarity, typical of traditional, similarity-based communities, and organic solidarity, characteristic of modern, interdependent societies. Harriet Martineau contributed to early sociology and social reform but didn’t foreground social facts and solidarity in Durkheim’s sense. Karl Marx emphasized economic structure and class conflict as drivers of change, not the specific mechanism of social facts generating solidarity. Norbert Elias explored long-term social processes and the civilizing of manners. With this focus on objective social facts and cohesion, the figure that fits best is Emile Durkheim.